'Peepli Live' director Anusha not excited about Oscar entry

Journalist-turned-filmmaker Anusha Rizvi says she won't go to the US for the pre-nominations campaign.

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ITGD Bureau

Mumbai

October 26, 2010

UPDATED: October 26, 2010 13:31 IST

Journalist-turned-filmmaker Anusha Rizvi said on Tuesday that she is surprised by the hoopla surrounding her debut feature film Peepli Live being sent to Oscars in the foreign film category.

"No doubt, I am happy. But, Oscars is just another American award and the Indian entry is one of the thousands of entries that have come from different countries. I don't think there is need to be so excited about. If the film wins an award at the Berlin International Film Festival or any other such platform, I feel it would be a real international recognition," Anusha told reporters.

She was at the Mumbai Film Festival to attend the open forum on the topic "Love hate between movies and media".

She said she will not be going to the US for the promotions as part of the pre-nominations campaign.

"I will go if I am required. But, I don't think producers and directors need to go before the committee," she said.

Anusha refused to comment on reports in a section of the media that she had differences with producer Aamir Khan on the marketing and promotion of the movie.

"More than my differences with Aamir, I want the film to be watched from the proper perspective and the story be debated. Peepli Live is a serious political film but the trailers made it to be a light hearted comedy," she said.

Earlier, speaking at the open forum, film reviewer Indu Mirani said the first contact of the movie was widely received because of Aamir Khan, the superstar producer.

"He made the film a big one and since the product was good, it was well received," she said.

However, Anusha felt exposure cannot come at misrepresentation.

Speaking on the notion of media created stars, she said A-list stars are not created by the media.

"A lister is one whose film sells and people have agreed to watch. We just pick on such stars and write about them," she said.

- With PTI inputs

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